Half of parents don’t know about this free NHS treatment for their kids’ teeth

Half of children are missing out on free NHS treatment, according to a survey

Published:14:29Tuesday 16 August 2016

More than half of parents do not know about a free NHS treatment that protects children against tooth decay, a survey has found.

The fluoride varnish treatment is supposed to be applied twice a year from the age of three. But a survey discovered more than 55 per cent of families did not know about it.

The finding means nearly millions of children have not benefited from the treatment, according to mydentist, which operates 650 practices across the UK.

The survey also reported that three in ten parents have a daily struggle to get their children to brush their teeth, and two in ten do not insist their children brush twice a day. Two in 100 families admit they clean their children’s teeth only twice a week or less.

Nearly a third of children didn’t see an NHS dentist between at all 2012 and 2014. In a similar period, the NHS spent £30m on tooth extractions for under 18s.

Steve Williams, clinical director at mydentist, said: “It’s shocking to think that more than half a million children in Yorkshire are missing out on a simple, preventative treatment which offers protection against decay and strengthens teeth.”